2011 kia rio Model Overview

Overall Rating:

StarStarNo-StarNo-StarNo-Star

2 of 5

The Rio is Kia’s smallest vehicle, as well as its most affordable. It comes in a choice of body styles, either a sedan or a hatchback. The Rio comes in three trim levels — base, LX, and SX — and the Rio5 hatchback is offered as LX and SX trims. All Rios use the same engine, a 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four paired with either a five-speed manual transmission (base sedan only) or a four-speed automatic in all other models. Both the Rio and the Rio5 share the same 98.4-inch wheelbase, and are the same width and height, but the sedan is almost 10 inches longer overall.

The Rio line received a minor refresh for 2010. This gave the sedan and hatchback full body-color bumpers, body-color side moldings, black bezels for the headlights, “tabbed” grilles that match the rest of the Kia line, new exhaust tip design, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Inside changes included a standard EcoMinder light, plus the new availability of cruise control.

Following a minor refresh that happened for 2010, which added new styling cues and interior options, not all that much has changed for 2011. Last year, the manual was the base transmission on all models; now it’s only offered on base Rio. Bluetooth connectivity is now available, and it is a part of the optional LX Value Package.

The Rios look attractive, but a little bland, which fits in pretty well with the rest of the subcompact lineup. Changes last year add some sportier touches, like a new exhaust tip. The Rio rolls on 14-inch wheels as standard equipment.

The Rio is an inexpensive car, with features such as air-conditioning, four-speaker audio, and dual power ports as options. Yes, power door locks, rear adjustable armrests, and a 60/40 split rear seat (sedan) are also optional.

The Rio gets to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds and through the quarter mile in 17.0 seconds at 80.0 mph. The Rio needed 127 feet to stop from 60 mph, and it outperformed more expensive models in the slalom. Soft suspension and body roll keep it from being truly sporty, though.

2011 Kia Rio Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$12,295

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$6,625

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Who can tell us WOT vehicle is shown above? If you know, post a comment below.Last week, WinterCircle was the only one to identify our Mystery Vehicle: a 2012 Kia Rio five-door hatchback. Read all about the 2012 Kia Rio at the Refreshing/Revolting blog here and the First Drive article here.

The station wagon may be currently going the way of the dodo bird, but it looks like economy car buyers are taking delivery of more and more hatchbacks. Ford announced today that buyers shopping the Fiesta and Focus models are buying the hatchback models at increasing rates, a trend that could be extending to the rest of the industry.Ford claims…

Kia pulled the wraps off the sedan version of its Rio subcompact, and rolled out the 5-door we saw in Geneva for comparison. Both continue a clean, athletic aesthetic Peter Schreyer has been introducing to the lineup with every product refresh since he joined the team (only the Sedona’s left). The traditional Kia grille is flanked by large, expressive headlamps…

We got a glimpse of Kia's new Rio in hatchback form at the recent Geneva auto show, and the beat goes on this week in New York with the arrival of the U.S. market 2012 Kia Rio sedan and Rio5 hatch. The Rio was the lone Kia product that had not received a full makeover from head stylist Peter Schreyer,…